A healthy lifestyle is increasingly being valued by people. More and more people are paying attention to nutritional supplements. These supplements can be subdivided into supplements of different functions by type, including blood cholesterol reduction, gastrointestinal health, weight management and so on.
Here are some supplements collected by the editor that may help lower blood sugar. But they cannot completely replace drugs.
Bitter melon
Pharmacological studies have shown that bitter melon extract has a significant blood sugar lowering effect. Radioimmunoassay found that the extract of Momordica charantia L. has obvious binding reaction with insulin receptor and insulin antibody, indicating that it has common antigenicity and biological activity with insulin. The crude extract of bitter melon has an insulin-like effect.
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Cinnamon
Cinnamon has many health benefits. First, it improves the insulin resistance of cells and also lowers blood sugar. In fact, it can also slow down the absorption of carbohydrates in the digestive tract and reduce the amount of blood sugar entering the cells after a meal. Cinnamon works in a similar way to insulin, with an effective dose of 1-6 grams per day. However, be aware that taking too much cinnamon may be harmful to the human body.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds are an important source of water-soluble fiber, and many studies have shown that it can effectively lower blood sugar, and also help to reduce fasting blood sugar and improve glucose tolerance.
Fenugreek is also considered to be one of the safest herbs for relieving diabetes. It can be taken with powder, capsule, or mixed with flour, or tea. The recommended dose is 2 to 5 grams per day.
Berberine
Berberine is an active ingredient of Coptis, which helps lower blood sugar and promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy. This substance can increase the sensitivity of insulin and enhance the sugar intake in the muscles through blood. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used to treat diabetes for thousands of years and has proven to be as effective as some hypoglycemic western medicines.
However, users need to be aware of the effects of berberine on the digestive system, including side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, flatulence and abdominal pain. The usual dose is 1,500 mg per day, 500 mg each before three meals.
Other herbs, such as aloe vera and ginseng, may also have the effect of lowering blood sugar. However, it is best for diabetics to communicate with their doctors before taking these supplements to prevent these supplements from interacting with the drug. In addition, it is important to remember that these supplements are not a substitute for drugs.
